“Noosfera” takes Ukrainian researchers out of Antarctica after a year of wintering (photo)
24.03.2025 - 11:33
Ukrainian scientists passed the baton to the 30th Antarctic expedition: new research ahead, and a year on the icy continent behind.
The annual rotation at the Ukrainian Antarctic Station “Akademik Vernadskii” ended on March 22. This was reported by the press service of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.
During the rotation, the 29th Ukrainian Antarctic Expedition (UAE) handed over the shift to the team of the 30th. The changeover process turned out to be difficult due to adverse weather conditions and difficult ice conditions.
The polar explorers unloaded provisions, fuel and scientific equipment, as well as removed samples and garbage from dawn to night. Due to the peculiarities of the bottom relief, the icebreaker “Noosfera” could not approach the station – everything had to be transported by motor boats.
Despite the difficulties, the rotation went smoothly. Experienced members of the 29th expedition passed on information about research, maintenance of instruments, and the operation of the station itself to their successors.
The culminating moment was the symbolic handover of the key to Vernadsky. The leader of the 29th expedition, Yuriy Otruba, solemnly handed it over to the leader of the 30th, Oleksandr Poludnyi. The parties also signed an act of acceptance and handover of the station. The ceremony ended with a joint performance of the Ukrainian anthem and the replacement of the national flag on the flagpole.
The next day, March 23, the icebreaker “Noosfera” set off on its return voyage with the wintering crew of the 29th expedition and the seasonal crew on board. The polar explorers are expected in the Chilean port of Punta Arenas at the end of March, after which they will return to Ukraine.
As USM wrote, the research vessel “Noosfera” delivered the 30th Ukrainian Antarctic expedition to the Akademik Vernadskii station on the evening of March 15. Due to the relief of the seabed, the icebreaker could not approach the station’s berths, so the vessel stopped nearby, in the Penola Strait.
